Tips & Tricks

Environment

‪Look for a neutral background, e.g. subject has their back against a wall.

Avoid a background that will reflect the flash, e.g. a mirror or glass.

Look for an area in the room that is not too bright – no strong reflections in the subject’s eyes!

Avoid being near bright windows and lights.

Subject should not be looking at a window and camera should not be facing a window.

‪Avoid areas that are too dark, the camera will not allow you to take a picture.

A good light level is between 70-80 for light skinned patients, 60 for dark skinned patients. A bad light level is <50, photos will not take in light level lower than 35.

Patient

Position the patient in a location that does not encourage movement, ideally comfortably seated on a chair with a backrest e.g. not a swivel chair.

Be on the same eye level before taking the picture, e.g. you go to their level or they come to yours.

User

Aim to be at around 500-650mm (arm’s length) away from subject -there is a distance indicator on the screen. Small red circle -too far, large red circle- too close. Green – correct.

‪Look above the camera, directly at the subject’s eyes (i.e. not through the screen as there is a small delay) to establish that the subject is looking at the target and not blinking. Take the picture at the exact moment when that is achieved.

If more than two pictures in a row do not validate (red cross in top right corner), look for what needs changing: location, distance, light levels, out-of-focus etc. The lens will automatically recalibrate after 4 poor photos.

Be on the same eye level before taking the picture, e.g. you go to their level or they come to yours.

Camera

Press the fixation target button, asking the subject to look at the lights. Half-press shutter button until focus achieved by camera (green squares).

Take shot very soon after half-pressing shutter; otherwise movement will invalidate the focus setting.

Important: if a picture did not validate, the device will indicate reason. Do try and modify the next shot according to this feedback, e.g. “Too bright”: change location; “Subject not looking”: ensure subject looks at the target.

Fixation target does not always need to be activated. Important for those with higher cognitive function that they are attempting to focus on the cat. The light functionality is for young children only. How many whiskers? How many ears?